Memorial to a Loved One
Ancient Gnostic inscription
The following is my own retelling into contemporary language of the poetic inscription on a Valentinian (Gnostic) Christian gravestone (or funeral stele) found outside of Rome. The monument dated to the 2nd Century AD (about a century before the Roman Church) and is dedicated to a man’s wife “Sophe” not to be confused with the spiritual icon Sophia. I followed the meaning in the original translation but attempted to make it a little less academic therefore a bit easier on the eyes. -ed-
The verse below is a brief beautiful remembrance to a beloved spouse.
To Flavia Sophe*
Yearning to see thy Father's light,
You, my spouse, my Sophe, having
Been bathed in the eternal fragrance,
Of myrrh, the essence of Christ
And righteously seeking to gaze upon
The Divine face of the Aeons and
Their great counsel, the true Son.
You have entered the bridal chamber,
into the bosom of the Father
Your immortal leap is now fulfilled.
This sendoff is an example of the humane Valentinian tradition.
Illustration “Luminosity”, colored pencil on paper, 2019, dsr- (In the collection of Dr. and Mrs. G. Zdrazil.
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